City guide for visitors, expats and even locals

Beauty is only skin deep

Hey looks aren’t everything, but we girls do need our favorite mascara or moisturizer. And even if they won’t admit it, guys also buy specialty skincare products (or have their girlfriends do it for them). Sadly there aren’t any Sephora shops in Brussels (the closest I’ve found is in Lille), but there are a couple of cosmetic and beauty supply stores worth a visit – if you know where to look.

Cosmeticary is a lovely little shop near the Bourse that carries some top brands for skin and hair care, including Laura Mercier, Dermalogica, Dr. Hauschka, OPI and Agent Provocateur. The prices are a bit higher than they would be in the US or UK, but then a metro ticket downtown is cheaper than international shipping. You can also check out their online store or their new shop in Antwerp.

Several years ago I discovered a wholesale store for professional hair and beauty products called Pro Duo. Near Meiser, this is a great place to get shampoos, hair color and other supplies that you can usually only find in salons. I bought a great hair straightener here and it came with a 3 year guarantee. They have over 30 stores across Belgium, but this is the only location in Brussels.

Recently upgraded to a new location on Place Stéphanie, Senteurs d’Ailleurs has grown from a specialized fragrance shop to a full range cosmetic store. It offers high-end brands like Le Mer and Diptyque, but also popular, more affordable products from Kiehl’s and Molton Brown. The staff is knowledgeable (even if a bit snobby), and the new store is beautiful place to shop or just browse.